Hit enter to search or ESC to close
Life In Abundance InternationalLife In Abundance International
  • WHO WE ARE
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Where We Serve
    • How We Work
    • Why We Serve
  • STORIES
  • PARTNER WITH US
    • LIA Global Institute
    • Resources
    • US Store
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
    • One-Time Gift
    • Recurring Gift
Life In Abundance International
  • WHO WE ARE
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Where We Serve
    • How We Work
    • Why We Serve
  • STORIES
  • PARTNER WITH US
    • LIA Global Institute
    • Resources
    • US Store
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
    • One-Time Gift
    • Recurring Gift
Precious Stars: A Running Club Story
KenyaSocial EngagementVulnerable Children

Precious Stars: A Running Club Story

By Jessie@lifeinabundance.orgMay 19, 2021May 21st, 2021No Comments

“We are here to shine. We are precious stars.”

These words from a young person in LIA’s running club in Kisumu, Kenya are more than the name on the back of their group’s shirts. They also capture what restored dignity looks like in the life of a vulnerable child. At Life In Abundance, we believe that young people have the potential to be “blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” As Paul says in this Philippians 2 passage, they can shine “like stars in the sky” as they hold firmly to the word of life.

Youth running clubs, an initiative we’ve tested for a few years that has recently launched in seven of our program countries, is one way LIA is encouraging young people in poor communities to live up to their potential.

This program is currently taking place in 23 communities across Africa and the Caribbean, impacting over 790 young people. Providing a safe space to enjoy friendship and exercise, while being coached by local church and community leaders, running club is one way of caring for orphans and vulnerable children and sharing hope for the future.

One young captain says, “I am happy to interact with others here. We learn a lot and keep fit. It’s better than what we do in school!” While many students are still currently unable to attend school because of the pandemic and mental health issues are on the rise for these young ones, running club is positively engaging the youth throughout this unstable time.

It is also giving leaders new insight into the communities they serve and relationships with more families in need. One pastor we partner with says, “Through this, we will be able to know and understand how families are doing. Adults never share challenges of their families, but children do!”

Besides impacting the present, these clubs are an investment we know will last for years to come as the runners grow up knowing their worth and becoming leaders of healthy change in their families, communities, and nations. As Coach Billy says, “This is a way of impacting the future generation and I love doing it.”

Besides running, one activity our LIA running clubs do together is make necklaces. These are not just fun beading projects, but serve as visual reminders of some of the main topics running club coaches teach the youth about when they meet.

Make Your Own Necklace

Recommended For You

Local LeadershipTrainingsTransformation StoryVulnerable Children

Generosity In The Global South

mikayla
mikaylaDecember 2, 2022
Church PartnershipDay in the LifeKenyaTrainings

An LIA Staff Member’s Day

Jessie@lifeinabundance.org
Jessie@lifeinabundance.orgAugust 29, 2022
EthiopiaSocial EngagementTransformation StoryVulnerable Children

Orphans in Their Distress

AmyNickerson@lifeinabundance.org
AmyNickerson@lifeinabundance.orgFebruary 23, 2022
Share Tweet Share Pin

  • CONTACT
  • PARTNER WITH US
  • RESOURCES
  • STORIES
  • HISTORY
  • LEADERSHIP
  • ANNUAL REPORT 2022
  • FINANCIAL STATEMENT

© Copyright 2022 Life In Abundance | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy